DWI

If you have been accused of or arrested for DWI (Drunk Driving) in Missouri, you need an experienced criminal lawyer to help you through it. Take advantage of our free consultation and make an informed decision about how you want to proceed. You have nothing to lose by calling. I’ll give you some free advice either way. Call now, 888-439-4244.

What are the Penalties for DWI in Missouri?

A DWI/DUI charge is treated very seriously under Missouri criminal law. The penalties can be harsh, so it is important to have an experienced attorney to help fight these charges.

And the time is critical. You have only 15 days to file a request for an administrative hearing to get your license back. So you need to act now in your own defense to have a chance to get your license back.

In our opinion, people are arrested for drunk driving here far more often than is justified. Police officers tend to overreact if a person has had a drink or two, and may arrest you if they think there is only slight chance you might be impaired.

That’s why we like to fight DWI charges. And almost any case can be won.

Should I Fight my Charge or Just Plead Guilty?

That’s a common question, and it really depends on both the facts of your case, and you as a person. We can analyze the facts of your arrest and tell you the chances of winning are in your specific case. I’ll also talk over the implications of both a guilty plea, and fighting the case at trial. There are certainly pros and cons for both in many cases, and it can be hard to sort out the situation all by yourself.

That’s why we can work through all this with you in a free legal consultation and case evaluation. Just call (888) 439-4244 and we’ll talk it over. There’s no charge for advice, and no further obligation if you decide you don’t want you hire us.

But remember that These cases can be beaten. That’s where I put my focus when we head into court.

We are prepared to challenge the DA on a huge number of legal issues, including:

Can they prove you pulled over for a legitimate reason?

Can they they performed the field sobriety tests according to their very specific police training to insure scientifically valid results?

Can they prove that the breath test results are valid, that the machine was in good working order?

and many, many other possible legal challenges…

But the first step is yours. You need to take action to get the help you need. Call right away to talk about your administrative license hearing before your 15 days is up. I’ll help you decide what to do, and where to go from here, so you have every opportunity to save your license, and beat your DWI charge, or at least minimize the damage to a level you can live with, and move on with your life.

First Offense Missouri DWI Penalties

If you are convicted/found guilty of DWI/DUI/Drunk Driving, you face a Class B misdemeanor, for which the penalty under Missouri law is:

Breath Test / Chemical BAC Refusal

According to Missouri’s implied consent laws, you are required to submit to a chemical alcohol, blood, or breathalyzer test if asked to do so. If you refuse a chemical test, your license will be immediately taken away, and you’ll be given a 15 day temporary driver’s license/permit.

You can challenge the refusal in court, if you can challenge any of the police officer’s assertions that:

You were pulled over while driving

The officer had a legitimate legal basis to stop you

You did refuse the test.

The penalty for refusing to take a breath test is a 1 year driver’s license suspension and required completion of a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) or similar alcohol education program.

Second Offense DWI Punishment/Penalties

If you are convicted/found guilty of DWI/DUI/Drunk Driving and you have a previous conviction within the previous 5 years, you face a Class A misdemeanor, for which the penalty under Missouri law is:

Up to 1 year in jail, or up to a $1000 fine, or both.

A minimum of 48 hours/2 days in jail, OR 10 hours of community service.

Two Year license suspension, and a 3 year restricted/hardship license after the initial suspension. During the subsequent 3 years, you may only drive to and from work.

Ignition Interlock Device required on your vehicle as a condition of license reinstatement after a 2nd offense DWI.

Third Offense Missouri DWI Punishment/Penalties

If you are convicted/found guilty of Drunk Driving and you have two previous convictions in your lifetime, you face a Class D felony, for which the penalty under Missouri law is:

Up to 4 years in prison, or up to a $5000 fine, or both.

A minimum of 10 days in jail, OR 60 hours of community service.

Driver’s license suspended/revoked for 10 years.

Forth Offense Missouri DWI Punishment/Penalties

If you are convicted/found guilty of Drunk Driving and you have three previous convictions in your lifetime, you will be considered an aggravated offender, and you face a Class C felony, for which the penalty under Missouri law is:

Up to 7 years in prison, or up to a $5000 fine, or both.

Fifth Offense Missouri DWI Punishment/Penalties

If you are convicted/found guilty of Drunk Driving and you have three previous convictions in your lifetime, you will be considered a chronic offender, and you face a Class B felony, for which the penalty is:

5-15 years in prison

Missouri Aggravated Offender DWI Laws

You will be classified as a aggravated offender, and face up to 7 years in prison under the following conditions:

Two Previous Murder in the 2nd degree convictions (while operating a motor vehicle, or DWI)

Two Previous Assault on a Law Enforcement Official / Police Officer, 2nd degree (while operating a motor vehicle, or DWI)

If you’ve been arrested for a DWI in Missouri, you need a lawyer with the right experience and training. A lawyer who will listen to you and take your concerns seriously. Call for a consultation and let us use our experience fighting and winning these cases to help you.

Free Legal Consultation

Contact our attorneys for a free legal case evaluation on any criminal charge by calling:

(888) 439-4244

Receive our free legal defense consultation and case evaluation. We'll explain what you are facing in plain language, and tell you how we can help.

First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Zip:
Day Phone:
Mobile Phone:
Court Or City Of Arrest:
Next Court Date:
Have you been charged with a crime?:
Have you been arrested?:
Are you being investigated for a crime?:
Charge:
Do you currently have an attorney?
If you hire an attorney, how will you pay?:Region
Case Description:

By checking this box and clicking "Submit", you agree the phone number you provided above may be used to contact you (including autodialed, pre-recorded calls, artificial voice calls and/or SMS text). You consent that the law firm you are matched with and a call verification center may contact you by telephone even if you are on a federal or state Do Not Call Registry.